Mirror Image is the story of twin boys who are separated at birth following the death of their mother while delivering them. Growing up miles apart, the boys aren't aware of each other's existence until well into their teens.

One of the boys, Greg Ralston, is a tall, handsome teen athlete, headed for a career in pro basketball. The other boy, Rafe Collings, grows up in rural Ephraim, Utah, in a good Mormon home. He becomes an accomplished bronco rider, coming to national attention for his attainments. And here is where the trouble begins. Rafe's original adopted mother was shot to death, and Rafe saw it all. When the assassin, who was never caught, sees Rafe's picture in the newspaper, he realizes that, if he is to keep his secret safe, he has to kill the boy.

But there are actually three plot lines running through this book. One involves the boys' real grandfather and an uncle, and a deadly secret that must be preserved. Another introduces the boys' real father, who will do anything to reconnect with them. There are, of course, girl friends, as well as other assorted characters.

Altogether, it's something of a roller coaster ride until the exciting conclusion. I thought I would have trouble keeping the characters straight, but somehow Poulson manages to maintain the storylines effectively, bringing them all to satisfactory conclusions. The book is well-paced, in fact fast-paced, keeping the reader's attention all the while.

However, given the non-stop action, it is no surprise that the characters themselves are not as well developed as I would have liked. I suppose it's hard to do when the focus is on the action, but I really wanted to get to know the players better. There were aspects of Greg's character, for example, that remain a mystery. We don't learn much about his life prior to our meeting him as a high-school athlete. People often have many dimensions to their lives and their attitudes. Knowing these dimensions would have enriched the story.

The most complex relationship in the book develops between Rafe and LIndsay Diamond, a high schooler who falls in love, from a distance, with Greg, but later, seeing Rafe's picture in the newspaper, makes the connection between the two and becomes intimately involved in the story. Rafe and Lindsay's relationship is a key to the various threads in the story.

Poulson is the author of eleven previously published novels. He has a colorful background in law enforcement and is a sitting Justice Court Judge. As such, he has resources to call upon when writing his stories. He has a good sense of plotting and a desire to keep the reader involved in the plot, or in the case of this book, plots.

Adults who like a good action read will enjoy this book, as will older teens looking for wholesome fiction with solid gospel themes. Despite my reservations about the unidimensional characters, I liked the book and look forward to Poulson's next effort.

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Jeff Needle
September 21, 2005